1. Investigating DNA Radiation Damage Using X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
- Author
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Rafael Abela, Thomas Huthwelker, Jakub Szlachetko, Ewelina Lipiec, Camelia N. Borca, Thomas J. Penfold, Wojciech M. Kwiatek, Jacinto Sá, Christopher J. Milne, and Joanna Czapla-Masztafiak
- Subjects
Genome instability ,Absorption spectroscopy ,DNA damage ,Ultraviolet Rays ,Biophysics ,Radiation ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Radiation damage ,Animals ,Irradiation ,X-ray absorption spectroscopy ,Proteins ,DNA ,0104 chemical sciences ,X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy ,chemistry ,Biochemistry ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Cattle ,Protons ,DNA Damage - Abstract
The biological influence of radiation on living matter has been studied for years; however, several questions about the detailed mechanism of radiation damage formation remain largely unanswered. Among all biomolecules exposed to radiation, DNA plays an important role because any damage to its molecular structure can affect the whole cell and may lead to chromosomal rearrangements resulting in genomic instability or cell death. To identify and characterize damage induced in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbone, in this work we performed x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the P K-edge on DNA irradiated with either UVA light or protons. By combining the experimental results with theoretical calculations, we were able to establish the types and relative ratio of lesions produced by both UVA and protons around the phosphorus atoms in DNA.
- Published
- 2016
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